California National Parks and Natural Landscapes

Featured California locations are listed below, and shown on the California map (south, north) - these are the most scenic places in the state, and include beaches, canyons, deserts, forests, lakes, mountains, rock formations, scenic drives and volcanic areas.

California Big Trees - 12 day loop visiting the giant sequoia of the Sierra Nevada, in the Kings Canyon, Sequoia and Yosemite national parks, plus the coastal redwoods of the north

California Deserts - the vast deserts of south California, from Death Valley to Anza Borrego, also including Joshua Tree, Palm Springs, the Salton Sea and the Mojave National Preserve, plus lesser known places

California North Coast - the rugged north coast of California, from the cliffs of Point Reyes, through the scenic beaches of Sonoma and Mendocino counties, to the coastal redwood forests of the far north

California South Coast - beaches, cliffs, mountains and the Pacific Ocean, along Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) from San Diego near the Mexican border north to San Francisco

Sierra Nevada - the spectacular mountains of central California; popular locations include Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Lake Tahoe and Yosemite, but there are many lesser known places like Devils Postpile and Big Pine Lakes